Lake County supervisor talks about decision to not seek re-election

UPPER LAKE -- After announcing that her current term as Lake County supervisor would be her last, Denise Rushing said the decision to walk away from a third election wasn't easy.

"It's always difficult," Rushing, 54, said. "When I first ran, I stated I was not a career politician and never really intended to be. In my view, running for a second term was a big stretch. A third term would suggest that I'd been intending to stay in politics, and that's not the case."

The Upper Lake resident had no political experience when she entered the race for District 3 supervisor almost seven years ago.

"My first foray into political life was that election in 2006, and I ran on a platform of change, leadership, environmental stewardship, smart growth and being the voice of the people," she said.

Rushing took her seat on the Lake County Board of Supervisors in January 2007, having defeated incumbent Gary Lewis the previous November. She easily won a second term in June 2010.

"I feel that I have a good relationship with the communities on the Northshore, and all of them are stepping up in their own way to make their communities better," Rushing said. "I'm proud of the dialogue that I've kept."

Rushing said she wasn't ready to reflect too much on her supervisor career, with nearly two years remaining on her term, but she briefly touched on some of the highlights for her thus far.

The list included Marymount College coming to Lucerne, revitalization projects along the Northshore, energy-efficiency improvements and work on the Lake County General Plan, Shoreline Communities Area Plan and Konocti Regional Trails Master Plan.

Rushing pointed to the health of Clear Lake and helping the county through difficult economic times as her primary focuses during her final 23 months in office.

"If we could all devote ourselves to projects that will bridge the divides that are apparent, there's much more common ground than people realize. And if we can work on those projects, we can find ways to solve the bigger problems as well," she said.

As for the future, Rushing said she hadn't "put a lot of thought into what I'll be doing."

"My background is as a job-creator," she added. "I feel that I have some real skills as an entrepreneur, and I think Lake County needs those just as much right now. I'm of the belief that the entrepreneurs will change the economy, and I want to be a part of that."

Rushing's announcement comes well in advance of the June 2014 primary election, leaving prospective successors plenty of time to prepare their campaigns.

"I'd like folks who are in District 3 that have leadership skills, a strong sense of civic duty and a willingness to serve to consider running for public office. It's wide open at this point, and it's an experience of a lifetime," she said.

Jeremy Walsh is a staff reporter for Lake County Publishing. Reach him at 263-5636, ext. 37 or jwalsh@record-bee.com. Follow him on Twitter, @JeremyDWalsh.